Local MMA card promises to pack plenty of punch

Dave "The Nightmare" Spadell Jr. of Team Independent, Freeland, will be one of several local fighters in action in a mixed martial arts event at Genetti Inn and Suites on Saturday night.

The stage is set for one of the biggest sporting events the Hazleton area has ever seen. Northeast PA's Cage Fight, will hold its 11th MMA event at Genetti Inn and Suites on Saturday at 7 p.m.

PA Cage Fight started in 2009 and until now, primarily held its events in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area. But with the sport's rapidly rising popularity, along with many local ties that the fighters and promoters have here, the promoters look forward to expanding in a major way by coming to Hazleton for the first time.

Jonathan Kernis, a Hazleton native, is the event promoter and expects there to be a big turnout this weekend due to all the local interest.

"This will draw the largest crowd of any sports event in Hazleton, we're expecting about 1,000 people to come through the doors to enjoy the fights," Kernis said.

The fight card for Cage Fight 11 includes a lineup of professional and amateur fighters, many of whom have local roots.

Dave Spadell Jr. of Team Independent in Freeland, will be contending for the Welterweight Championship against Christopher Pintado. This is Spadell's last fight as an amateur

and he will moving up to the professional ranks and will attempt to do so as a champion.

Team Independent will also have another local fighter in the cage, when Nick Spishock Jr. seeks his first victory in his lightweight debut against Anthony McGlynn.

Other local fighters on the card are from team Hardcore MMA in Hazleton. Darlington Peralta is coming off of two consecutive wins and will look to continue this streak when he squares up with Maiguel Machado.

At only 185 pounds, but packing what Kernis describes as the power punch of a heavyweight, Jeremiah Wells will display that strength in his matchup with Mark Mangiardi.

With a win in his first fight, Luis Payano looks to maintain an undefeated status when he goes against Kristopher Gratalo. Team Hardcore also looks forward to the debut of their newest fighter, Louie Concepcion, as he will attempt to open with a victory over opponent Joseph Rivas.

There will also be a few feature professional fights on the card along with these highly anticipated local match-ups.

Former welterweight Champion, Gary Peters, will make his pro debut against Billy Dee Williams. Also making his pro debut is Joe Fye, a decorated war veteran, who's set to fight Brian Pohlmeyer.

The main event features John Flock, who is 40-years-old but plans to show that age is just a number when he fights experienced veteran, Tenyeh Dixon.

"Dixon is the kind of guy you need to beat to get to the next level," Kernis said. "This fight will be full of action and definitely the one to watch on Saturday."

Despite the label of an "amateur" league, Kernis made clear that these are some of the MMA world's most elite participants.

"They're all top-tier fighters," he said. "This is only one step below the UFC-- the top professional rank in MMA-- and we get these guys the exposure and experience they need to move up to that level."

Kernis and his partner Chris Coyne, gained plenty of assistance from the local business community to help bring the event together.

"A lot of sponsors reached out to help us affordably bring a high level of talent and entertainment to Hazleton," he said.

"Without them, especially Paul and Neal DeAngelo, this wouldn't be possible. They wanted to give back to the community and it helped in a major way," Kernis said.

As one of the fastest growing sports in the country continues to accumulate a larger fan-base, PA Cage Fight plans to do the same.

"Our goal here is to bring these elite-level sporting events to the area. These athletes do it all and we look forward to major expansion as interest in the sport continues to surge," Kernis said.

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